2. About this talk
● In small-town Canada we have seen an increase in the quot;cottage industryquot; as
retirees cash out of urban centres and move to the country. These micro-
enterprise businesses often have only the owner (and their partner) as staff.
Although the businesses offer a huge range of services, they have one thing in
common--very small budgets.
● Individually these businesses can rarely afford expert technical support and
services and as a result they often end up experiencing vendor lock-in in the
worst possible ways.
● By combining the idea of a LUG and a Chamber of Commerce, it is possible to
subvert the proprietary economic model and gain new clients in the process. In
this presentation Emma Jane Hogbin you show you how to convert
businesses to FOSS by creating a sustainable, technology focused, business
network.
● Pulling from experiences with her own client user group, she will show you
how to: create self-sufficient clients that still pay you money; manage
expectations (client budgets and contractor time); attract new clients by
distinguishing yourself from your competitors; define and achieve success;
and spread the ethos of free and open source software into the business
world.
5. my definition of success:
communities of all kinds are enabled
to maintain vibrant and productive interaction
using FOSS tools and open business practices
30. Identify businesses that ...
1
... have growth potential (even if they
don’t know it).
... can revolutionize an industry.
... are already leaders.
31. Be a business coach
2
Choose interesting businesses.
Encourage radical dreaming.
Say “no” often.
Ask lots of questions.
Help people to develop their story.
32. Manage expectations
3
Be clear about “free” and “paid” work.
Always have time for people that matter.
Fire annoying clients.
33. Charge appropriately
4
Never discount. Ever. (Not even for notforprofit organizations.)
Give things away for free!
Recognize the value you bring to projects.
34. Promote selfsufficiency
5
Training materials
Free help nights
Charge for urgent and complicated work.
